heuer



H. HEUER RESETTING APPARATUS FOR CALCULATING MACHINES Filed Sept. 11, 1958 Oct. 10, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Hana hEl/ER by {ml u his Affarney m 1 1961 H. HEUER 3,003,692

RESETTING APPARATUS FOR CALCULATING MACHINES Filed Sept. 11, 1958 3 Shaets-Sheet 2 I/VVENTOR Hans HEUER 94 fir/W i his Afforne y Oct. 10, 1961 H. HEUER 3,003,692

RESETTING APPARATUS FOR CALCULATING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 11, 1958 INVENTOR= Hans f/EUER M062! I: Ifr/Wqhis Afforney RESETTING APPARATUS FOR CALCULATING MACHINES Hans Heuer, Wilhelmshaven, Germany,

assignor to Olympia Werke A.G., Wilhelmshaven,

Germany Filed Sept. 11, 1958, Sen No. 760,424 Claims priority, application Germany Sept. 12, 1957 5 Claims. (Cl. 235-444) The present invention relates to calculating machines in general, and more particularly to improvements in apparatus for resetting back to zero the numbers wheels in electromagnetic calculating machines. 7

' Electromagnetic computers of'known construction comprise numbers wheelsor drums, also called metering wheels, to the peripheries of which the numbers of a decade are applied in a plainly visible manner. Even the relatively simple types of such machines are customarily equipped with resetting or return-to-zeromeans for restoring each numbers wheel or drum back into zeroindicating position upon completion of a calculation. Such resetting means are often actuated by hand in that a shaft common to all numbers wheels is rotated through about 360 degrees whereby all numbers wheels describe a greater or lesser angular movement and return into zero-indicating position. r v

Another known manually operableresetting apparatus necessitates previousdisconnection of tens, hundreds,

and higher digits transfer mechanism, whereupon the I operator repeatedly depresses the computing key-"to turn the ones wheel alone. The latter is rigidly connected with a shaft on which the tens, hundreds etc. Wheels are loosely supported. The arrangement is such that there is a certain amount of friction between the loosely supported tens, hundreds etc. wheels on the one hand, and the shaft with the ones wheel rigidly connected thereto on the other hand, whereby the shaft entrains the tens, hundreds, etc. wheels while turning in unison with the ones wheel whenever the actuating key is depressed.

hus, the tens, hundreds etc. wheels also rotate with the shaft until a pin carriedby each of the higher-thanones wheel abuts against a stationary stop to hold the loosely mounted wheels against further angular movement.

This isthe zero position of tens, hundreds etc. wheels.

The disadvantage of such a manually operable system is in that the key must be actuated repeatedly evan after all tens, hundreds etc. wheels have already reached their zero-indicating positions until the ones Wheel, rigidly connected Withthe shaft operated by the key, its Zero-indicating position. The ones wheel cannot carry a stop pin as it must be free to turn through more than 360 degrees, if necessary, and the friction between the shaft and the loosely mounted tens, hundreds etc. wheels is rather indefinite; therefore, it often requires lengthy and tedious manipulation before all numbers wheels are reset into zero-indicating position and the calculating machine is ready for another computation.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a system for resetting the numbers wheels in calculating machines which facilitates more rapid and more convenient resetting of all numbers wheels into zeroindicating position.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a return-to-zero apparatus of the mechanical variety as con- 3,003,692 Patented Oct. 10, 1961 e ice trasted with manually actuatable devices, which is particdrawbacks of known return-to-zero systems in that it is capable of rapidly, conveniently and positively restoring the numbers wheels into initial or zero-indicating position; which. is of relatively simple construction; which occupies relatively little space; and which can be -readily assembled with electromagnetic computers of known design.

The above and certain other objects of the invention are attained by the provision of a restsoring or resetting shaft which carries resetting gears coupled therewith by means of releasable clutch assemblies; the resetting gears, the resetting shaft and the clutch assemblies being mounted on a swingable carriage actuatable by a suitable device, preferably a resetting electromagnet. In addition, each numbers wheel or drum of the computing machine comprises a lug which may abut against an arresting member, preferably in the form of a rail, carried by the swingable carriage, the lugs abutting against the arresting member when the respective numbers wheels are in zeroindicating position. Thus, when the carriage is swung into operative position, e.g. by the energized resetting magnet, and the resetting gears rotate with the resetting shaft, they mesh with the pinions of numbers wheels and cause the lugs to describe an angular movement until they abut against the arresting member whereupon the releasable clutch assemblies permit rotation of resetting shaft with respect to the resetting gears, i.e. without further advancing the numbers wheels. When the lugs abut against the arresting rail, the respective numbers wheels are in zeroindicating positions.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of arresting means for the resetting gears which engage with the latter when the resetting mechanism is inoperative, i.e. when the carriage is swung into a position in which the resetting gearsare out of mesh with the pinions forming part of the numbers wheels. Additional arresting means may be provided for the transfer gears to become operative when the resetting mechanism is in operation. The resetting shaft is preferably driven by the computing electromagnet when a resetting key in the circuit common to the resetting and computing magnets is depressed. r

' The novel features which are considered as characteristic'for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following detailed description of a specific embodiment when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of an electromagnetic computing or calculating machine embodying the return-tozero or resetting mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is fragmentary partly front elevational and partly sectional view of the machine; 7

FIG. 3 is a section taken on line HI-IH of Pro. 1, as seen in the direction of arrows; and

3,0os,ee2 a FIG. 4 is an electric circuit diagram of the computing machine.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, and first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown the frame or base 1 of a computing machine supporting a computing magnet 2 and a resetting magnet 3. Armature 2a of computing magnet '2 actuates a ratchet wheel 6 over a two-armed lever 4 one arm of which is connected with said armature by a rod 4b and is constantly acted upon by a resilient element 4a to turn in clockwise direction, and over a pawl 5.which latter is connected with the other arm of member 4. A lock pawl 7 prevents return rotation of ratchet wheel 6. The (in FIG. 1) free extremity of resilient element 4a is connected to a suitable bracket or the like (not shown) forming part of frame 1.

Member 6 is rigidly mounted on and thus rotates with a shaft 23, the latter being rigidly connected with a tentooth gear 8.

Resetting magnet 3 comprises an armature 3a which is adapted to swing a carriage 9 mounted for pivotal movements about a stationary shaft 29. The carriage 9 is formed with a pair of swing arms 10a, 1012 at one of its lateral sides, and with a similar pair of swing arms 11a, 11b at its other lateral side. Arms 10a, 11a support a transfer shaft 12 loosely mounting a series of transfer gears 13 for tens, hundreds, etc. values. The other set of arms 10b, 11b supports a resetting shaft 15 rigidly conneeted with a ten-tooth gear 16. The latter shaft loosely mounts a series (e.g. three) of resetting or restoring gears 17 each of which is normally connected with said shaft by means of a friction or slip clutch assembly consisting of a coil spring 18 installed between a Washer 18a fixed to shaft 15 and a washer 18b loosely mounted on said shaft and frietionally engaging the adjacent major surface of a restoring gear 17.

In the computing position of the machine, i.e. when the resetting system is not in operation, magnet 3 is not energized. In such position of the device, carriage 9 is pivoted on its shaft 29 in the direction of arrow W (see FIG. 3) by a coil spring 30 having its terminals connected to a bracket 1b of frame 1 and to a pin 3% on arm 11a, respectively, in which position the gears 16 and 17 are prevented from unintentional rotation by arresting means here shown as a suitably bent ridge 19 forming pant of base or frame 1. In such computing position of the apparatus, transfer gears 13 mesh with pinions 21 of numbers wheels or drums 20, and the computing operation takes place in the well known manner.

When the magnet 3 is energized, its armature 3a is retracted into the position of FIGS. 1 and 3 and swings the carriage 9 together with shafts 12 and 15 in the direction opposed to that indicated by arrow W to move transfer gears -13 out of mesh with pinions 21. In this position, gears 13 are prevented from rotation by suitable arresting means, i.e. by a lock bar 1 4. Gears 16, 17 are then out of locking engagement with arresting means 19. In additionto the ten-tooth pinion 21, each numbers wheel or drum comprises a tens-transfer tooth 22. Wheels 20 are freely rotatable on the shaft 23 which is mounted in stationary bearing brackets 1a one of which is illustrated in FIG. 1. A pivot pin 24 (see FIG. 3), also supported in the frame 1, carries a two-armed lever 25 one arm 25a of which is formed as an arresting mem her having the shape of a band or rail. The other arm 26 abuts against a flange 27 forming part of the arm 10a and is so guided by the latter that the numbers wheels 20, assuming that the armature 3a is withdrawn by energized electromagnet 3, are in close proximity of arresting member 25a, as is best shown in FIG. 3. Am 26 is in constant abutment with flange 27 under the infiuence of a coil spring 31. Each numbers, wheel .20 further comprises a lug orpin 28 which 'latter, upon certain angular movement of the respective wheel, abuts against the arresting member 25a and holds its numbers wheel d in zero-indicating position, i.e. the numeral zero is observable on each member 20.

When the numbers wheels 2t) are to be reset into zeroindicating position, a resetting lever or key 32 (see FIG. 4) is depressed in the direction of arrow X to open a contact 1. Thus, the input impulses cannot be conveyed from the input terminal to the computing magnet 2. Contacts c, d, e close simultaneously with the opening of contact whereby the resetting magnet 3 becomes energized. The drawn armature 3a swings carriage 9 with transfer shaft 12 and resetting shaft 15 whereby the tentooth gear 16 is brought into mesh with the ten-tooth gear 8. The zero-setting mechanism is now in operative position. To mechanically reset the numbers wheels 20, impulses are conveyed to electromagnet 2. In the exemplary illustration of FIG. 4, there are shown two relays A and B of which the relay A has a make contact a and the relay B has an off contact 12 as well as a make contact b Relay A energizes the relay B whereupon the former becomes deenergized, and so forth. Each time when the relay B is energized, it conveys an impulse to the computing magnet 2 whose armature 2a, over rod 4b, lever 4 and pawl 5, turns the ratchet wheel 6 and thus causes corresponding angular movements of tentooth gears 8 and 16. Resetting gears 17 turn the pinions 21 of numbers wheels 20 until all lugs 28 abut against the arresting member or rail 25a, whereupon the releasable clutch assemblies 18, 18a, 18b permit rotation of gears 17 on shaft 15 until all numbers wheels 20 are in zero-indicating position.

It is equally within the scope of my invention to replace relays A and B by a single relay acting as an automatic circuit breaker. In such instances, the relay comprises a make contact which closes before a second or interrupter contact opens. The computing magnet is energized by the make contact of such a single relay.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a computing machine, in combination: a frame; a first shaft supported by said frame; a plurality of numbers wheels loosely mounted on said shaft; a zero position determining lug connected with each wheel; a carriage swingably supported by said frame for movement between two alternative positions; an arresting member for said lugs operatively connected with said carriage for being movable together with the latter between positions of being engageable and unengageable, respectively, by said lugs; a second shaft supported by said carriage in parallelism with said first shaft; a plurality of resetting gears loosely mounted on said second shaft, one for each wheel; friction clutch means operatively connected with each of said gears and with said second shaft; first arresting means for said gears connected with said frame; means for transmitting rotation from said first shaft to said second shaft when said carriage is in one of said positions; a third shaft supported by said carriage in parallelism with said first shaft; a plurality of transfer gears on said third shaft, one for each wheel; second arresting means for said transfer gears; means for swinging said carriage between a first position in which said transfer gears are distant from said wheels and engage with said second arresting means, in which said resetting gears mesh with said wheels and are distant from said first arresting means, and in which said arresting member is adjacent to said wheels, and a second position in which said transfer gears mesh with said wheels and are distant from said second arresting means, in which said resetting gears are out Ofaooasss mesh with said wheels and engageiwith said first arresting means, and in which said arresting member is distant from saidwheels; and from said lugs; single drive ,means for rotating said first shaft,whereby, when said carriage is in said first position and said second shaft isrotatedby transmission of rotation from said first shaft, the resetting gears drive saidwheels untilsaidlugsabut agains arresting member whereby the wheels are move? zero-indicatingposition, while said clutch means permit rotation of said second shaft untilfeach of said resetting gears has'moved the respective wheels to zero-indicating position, and when said carriage is in said second position, said transfer gears cooperate with said wheels under the driving action of said first shaft.

2. In a computing machine, in combination: a frame; 'a first shaft supportedby said frame; a plurality of num bers wheels on said shaft; a zero-position determining lug connected with each wheel; a carriage swingably supported by said frame for movement between two alternative positions; an arresting member for said lugs operatively connected with said carriage for being movable toget-her with the latter between positions of being engageable and unengageable, respectively, 'by said lugs; a sec ond shaft supported by said carriage in parallelism with said first shaft; a plurality of resetting gears on said second shaft; clutch means connecting said gears with said second shaft for transmitting a torque up to a predetermined maximum; first arresting means for said gears supported by said frame; single drive means for rotating said first shaft including an electromagnet having an armature, ratchet wheel means fixed to said first shaft, pawl means operatively connected with said armature for turning said ratchet wheel means when said electromagnet is energized, means for transmitting rotation from said first to said second shaft including a first gear fixed to said first shaft, and a secondgear fixed to said second shaft and adapted to mesh with said first gear when said carriage is in one of said positions; a third shaft supported by said carriage in parallelism with said first shaft; a plurality of transfer gears on said third shaft; second arresting means for said transfer gears supported by said frame; means comprising a second electromagnet and an armature connected with said carriage for swinging the latter into a first position in which said first gear engages with said second gear and said first arresting means is distant from said resetting gears and the latter mesh with said numbers wheels, and in which said second arresting means engages with said transfer gears and said arresting member is adjacent to said numbers wheels and engageable by said lugs; resilient means for constantly urging said carriage into a second position in which said first gear is out of mesh with said second gear and said first arresting means engages with said resetting gears, and in which said second arresting means is distant from said transfer gears and said arresting member is distant from said lugs; whereby, when said second electromagnet is energized to move said carriage into the first position, and said first mentioned electromagnet is energized to turn said ratchet wheel means, the latter rotates said first and said second gear and said second shaft whereby said clutch means rotate said resetting gears and said numbers wheels until said lugs abut against the arresting member while the clutch means permit rotation of said second shaft until each of said resetting gears has moved the respective wheels to zero-indicating position, and when said carriage is in said second position, said transfer gears cooperate with said wheels under the driving action of said first shaft.

3. In a computing machine, in combination: a first shaft rotatably mounted in a fixed position of its axis; a plurality of numbers wheels freely rotatable on said shaft; a. radial lug connected with each of said wheels; an arresting member for said lugs movable between positions of being engageable and unengageable, respectively, by said lugs; a carriage mounted swingably for movements "setting gears On. said secon ably. connecting said resetting gears for rotation with said between two positions with respect to said first shaft; a second shaft supported by said carriage; a plurality of redshaft; clutch means releasfsecond shaft; single drive means for rotating said first shaft and for transmitting rotation from said first shaft to said second shaft when said carriage is in one of said positions; arresting means for said resetting gears; a

said arresting member is in position of being engageable by said lugs when said drive means rotates said first shaft and said second shaft and said resetting gears rotate said Wheels and said lugs, said wheels being in zero indicating position when the lugs abut'against said arresting member.

4. In a computing machine, in combination: a first shaft; a plurality of numbers wheels turnable on said shaft; a lug connected with each of said wheels; a carriage; a second shaft fixed to said carriage; a plurality of resetting gears on said second shaft; releasable clutch means connecting said gears for rotation with said second shaft; a third shaft fixed to said carriage; a plurality of transfer gears turnable on said third shaft; first electromagnetic means for swinging said carriage into a first position in which said resetting gears mesh with said numbers wheels; resilient means for constantly urging said carriage into a secondposition in which said transfer gears mesh with said members wheels and the latter are out of mesh with said resetting gears; an arresting member so guided by said carriage as to be inthe path of said lugs when the carriage is in said first position; means for transmitting rotation from said first shaft to said second shaft when said carriage is in said first position; and a computing electromagnet for rotating said first shaft whereby to turn said numbers wheels and said transfer gears when said carriage is in said second position, and to turn said resetting gears and said numbers wheels when the carriage is in said first position until each of said lugs abuts against said arresting member, said wheels being then in zero indicating position.

5. In a computing machine, in combination: a first shaft; a plurality of numbers wheels trurnable on said shaft; a lug connected with each numbers wheel; a carriage; a second shaft fixed to said carriage; a plurality of resetting gears on said second shaft; releasable clutch means connecting said gears for rotation with said second shaft; a third shaft fixed to said carriage; a plurality of transfer gears turna=ble on said second shaft; first electromagnetic means for swinging said carriage into a first position in which said resetting gears mesh with said wheels; means for constantly urging said carriage into a t second position in Which said transfer gears mesh with said wheels and the latter are out of mesh with said resetting gears; an arresting member so guided by said carriage as to be in the path of said lugs when said wheels are rotated and the carriage is in said first position; means for transmitting rotation from said first shaft to said second shaft when said carriage is in said first position; second electromagnetic means comprising a computing magnet operatively connectable with said first shaft for rotating same no matter whether said carriage is in said first or second position, and electrical means for actuating said computing magnet independently of its regular computing operation; and a resetting switch in the input circuits of both said electromagnetic means and movable between a first position in which the input circuit for said computing magnet is operative for regular computing operation, and a second position in which the input circuit for said first electromagnet means is closed for energizing the latter, and said electrical means are I connected with said computing magnet for actuating the References Cited in the file of this patent latter while the regular input circuit for the latter is interrupted whereby upon movement of said re- UNITED STATES PATENTS setting switch to its Sewnd position Said second shaft 738,962 W ll -V- Y V Sept. 15, 1903 and Said resetting gears are rotated by the rotation of said 5 ,15 ,997 Carroll ---t Aug. 24, 1915 first shaft, said resetting gears rotating the numbers 1, 29, 1 Pierson June 12, 1917 wheels, when the carriage is in said first position whereby 1,3 7,369 Messiter June 24, 1919 said lugs are turned to abut against said arresting -mem- 1,352,973 Kimball Sept. 14, 1920 her, each of said wheels being in zero indicating position 1,75 ,461 Ogden i..-- May 13, 1930 when the respective lugs abut against said arresting 10 2,192,612 Lang eta-1. t. Mar. 5, 1940 member. t- 2,219,636 Schwartz Oct. 29, 1940 

